Printing machine roller and cylinder



Dec. 31, 1935. A. J. HORTON PRINTING MACHINE ROLLER AND CYLINDER Filed April 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet NN NM M Dec. 31, 1935. A. J. HORTON PRINTING MACHINE ROLLER AND CYLINDER Filed April 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENTOR 4 $6 W mm R .nm i W VNV\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\N\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\N\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\A\\\- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\k 1 I Q N w lrllllllllrlll I!!!" Ill/ll!!! ui v wwv mm 9% M\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\mm Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING MACHINE ROLLER AND CYLINDER.

manent trustee Application April 15, 1932, Serial No. 605,423

20 Claims.

This invention in general relates to cylindrical machine elements such as rollers or cylinders, especially those of a type suitable for use in connection with machines in which a web of paper or other material is handled.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved roller or cylinder suitable for use as a web engaging roller, an inking roller, a printing cylinder and wherever a slender roller or cylinder is required to resist stresses tending to bend, misalign or distort same.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel roller for use with web handling and printing machinery, of a design and construc tion particularly adapted to provide the maximum strength and rigidity with minimum weight.

Another object is to provide a light-Weight, non-bending roller to be used as a web guide or as a core for an inking roller.

Another object is to provide a novel simplified method and means for reinforcing rollers and cylinders employed in web handling devices.

A further object is to provide a relatively lightweight roller or cylinder of the character indicated that will have a critical frequency higher than the limits encountered in its normal operation.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a roller or cylinder of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eflicient 1 its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, with certain minor details of the end supporting means broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the device;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of certain parts shown in Figures 1 and 2 Figure 4 is a partial transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention, with details of the means for supporting same omitted, showing the roller in its true 5 proportions;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of the invention, showing one end thereof;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, showing 10 the other end of the same modification; and

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view, with certain parts removed, of the device shown fragmentarily in Figures 6 and '7.

In the drawings wherein similar characters 15 indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the preferred form of the invention, A designates a roller embodying the invention.

The roller A, which is substantially of symmetrical construction from a point joining the 0 horizontal and vertical axes of symmetry of the device as viewed in Figures 1 and 5, comprises broadly an outer portion or shell l0, and an inner reinforcing portion or tubular member hereinafter described. On each end of the shell 25 ID a flanged cap or disc H is fitted which is secured to the said shell in any suitable manner. Each of the discs H, has a hole [2, sufficiently large to permit end play or displacement of an adjacent end E3 of an inner member or tube I4, 30 hereinafter described, the latter being arranged within the shell Ill and spaced therefrom by means that may be annularly spaced segments or rings [5, l5 and [6' which are arranged between a cylindrical portion ll of the member l4, and 35 the outer shell Ill. The ring I5 is preferably welded to the inner surface of the outer shell l0, while the ring I 6 is preferably welded to the outer periphery of the inner tube I l, and the other ring it is concentrically arranged there 40' periphery of each end l3 of the member I4 and a sleeve 2| having outwardly and inwardly projecting flanges 22, 23, respectively, is arranged within the interior of the said ends IS, the outwardlydirected flange 22 being engaged against the outermost edge of the ends [3, while the inwardlydirected flange 23 is juxtaposed against the outer ring or race member 24 of a bearing 25, the inner ring or race member 26 of which is seated on a reduced portion 21 of an axle or shaft 21 having a shoulder as 'at 28 against which the said inner ring 25 is normally engaged by a collar or sleeve 29 arranged on the reduced portion 2?. The sleeve 29 is fastened in the position shown by a nut 3i secured on a threaded portion 32 of the shaft 2?, for which latter, it will be under stood, stub shafts may be substituted, if preferred.

In manufacturing thepresent device it has been found convenient, as described above, to weld or otherwise secure the rings i5 and Itto the inner periphery of the shell l8, and then to insert the member is into the right hand end of the shell H], as viewed in Figure 1, until it is positioned substantially as shown. The member I4 before insertion in the shell H] has had the inner ring It welded in position and will non slip into the shell Ifi carrying the ring 16 previously secured to the shell as mentioned above. In this manner the dewice may be expeditiously assembled, although any other method found convenient maybe employed.

In practice, it has been found preferable to finish the outside diameter of the ring it and the inside diameter of the ring it to such dimensions as to produce a force fit when the parts are assembled, while the inside diameter of the ring I5 is finished to a dimension that will produce a sliding fit on the cylindrical portion H. Thus, the outer shell is rigidly held to the inner member but they may each individually expand longitudinally, and any variation in their expansion'will not cause distortion or misalignment of the parts.

In printing machineryit is highly desirable that the rollers or cylinders have a high critical frequency, great rigidity and light weight. Hitherto, the attainment of a high critical frequency and stiffness, without resorting to bodies of comparatively great weight and complicated or massive construction, has long been a desidera tum, particularly in the printing industry where comparatively slender rollers and long cylinders are employed, these slender rollers or long cylinders being susceptible to considerable deflection and distortion while in normal operation.

In the case of web guiding rollers, the said deflection and distortion during operation will either aggravate fluttering action of the web while feeding or will tend to start a fluttering of the web which willreact on the rotating rollers resulting in setting up vibration in them, not

only engendering stresses of considerable magnitude in the rollers, but also directly tending to tear the web at its weakest point, the edge. In addition, with coacting cylinders or rollers it has been found impractical to maintain a uniform effective pressure or contacting surface between these bodies throughout their length without resorting to rollers or cylinders of comparatively large diameter and excessive weight, necessitating also, in the majority of instances, the employment of comparatively heavy coacting parts and supporting structures.

In the case .of inking rollers, it was further found that vibration and in some cases, sagging of therollers gave rise to a 'non -uniform dis fered with the normal functions of the printing machine.

With a view to reinforcing or stiffening a roller or cylinder without unduly increasing its weight, the present construction employs an internal truss which broadly may be considered as supporing the outer shell I!) as a cantilever. The

in from each end of the shell ID that is approxilm ately equivalent to .223 of'its total length, said positions beingarrivedat by a matheinaticaldeterminationof the ideal location of two supports of an over-hanging beam (in the present instance the shell Iii) under a uniformly distributed pressure, with a view to obtainingthe minimum deflection of the said beam when loaded. .It will be readily understood that if a beamor rolleris supported at two points; as, for

example, adjacent its ends, and a load distrib uted uniformly thereover, the maximum deflection of said beam or roller will obviously take place at the center. If the said two supports for the beam be shifted towards the center it will again be apparentthat a position willbe arrived at where the center of the beam will be deflected less than positions between the ends and center. It becomes manifest therefore that an ideal locationfor two suppor ts will occur at points where the defiction of the end s and the center of the beam or roller will be substantially equal, and consequently, a minimum deflection of the roller at any point will take place, each of these points being removed from an adjacent end a distance approximately .223 of the total length of the roller, as derived mathematically in accordance with well-known principles governing the supporting of a uniformly loaded beam at two points thereof.

It will be noted that the inner tubular member i 5 playsthe part of a reinforcing truss or arch for theo'iiter shell which may be considered as being supported cantilever-wise and that the natural tendency ofvtheouter shell I0 if supported at its end under normal loading conditions, to'bend centrallyfin the form of a curve,

will. nowbe opposed by the truss or member [5 within the core thereof. The said member l5 will directly tend to stiffen or make rigid the entire rollerA and to raise its critical frequency beyond values normally encountered during'the normal operation of a cylinder or a roller around which a web is drawn.

In thecase of very slender rollers or cylinders where the space required for the bearingsdoes not leave sufiicient space for swaging the inner tube, the tapering of the inner tube may be omitted and a substantially straight inner tube employed with rings engaged therewith and with the inner surface of the outer cylinder or shell, as, illustrated in the present drawings.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the supporting or hearing details are practically identical with those shown in the other form illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, this being indicated by similar characters of reference. In the instant form, however, the roller B comprises an outer shell or member 35 and an inner tubular member 36 fastened thereto. The shell 35 is provided withtwo inwardly directed annular flanges or bulges 31, 38 respectively which in accordance with the present invention, and as described above, are positioned from each end of the outer member a distance approximately .223 of its total length.

The inner tubular member 36 consists of a cylindrical or body portion 39 which is flared or bulged outwardly at one end as at 4| and then continued in tapering fashion to provide a tapering portion 42. At an opposite end the cylindrical portion is bulged or flared outwardly as at 43, then bent or bulged inwardly and outwardly to form an annular groove 44 and then 'continued to provide the tapering 45. By inspection of Figure 8 it will be seen that the inwardly directed flange or bulge 38 of the outer shell 35 at the right hand side is seated directly in the groove 44 while the flange 37 at the left hand side rests or is engaged against the bulged portion 4| of the body portion 39, which bulged portion may also be considered as being a part of the tapering portion 42.

In manufacturing the modified form of the invention, the inner member may be formed with the tapering and bulged portions in any suitable manner. The said inner member is now thrust into the outer shell and the annular inwardly directed flanges or bulges may be formed thereon by first heating the outer shell at the places indicated and then applying a suitable implement for bending or bulging same inwardly to form the annular flanges 4|, 42 which are seated against the inner member or the flared portion 43 and in the groove 44 thereof. By this method the shell and inner tubular member are rigidly fastened or fixed together. If desired or more convenient the outer shell may be flanged without being heated after the inner member is placed therein.

The modified form of the invention offers practically the same mechanical advantages as the form shown in Figures 1 to 5 and may be preferred since it obviates the use of the rings l5, l6 shown in the other form illustrated in Figures 1 to 5- inclusive. The reinforcing of the outer member at the points designated; i. e;, at a distance from each end .223 of the whole length of the roller as described above, provides the maximum in the way of rigidity or freedom from vibration at normal operating frequencies.

Although the above design and construction is particularly desirable in printing machinery, it lends itself readily for use in machines of diverse description Where slender cylinders and rollers are employed, eliminates vibration and provides a structure relatively light in weight with great strength, stiffness and high critical frequency.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a roller of the kind described, the com bination of an' outer shell, an inner tubular member having a cylindrical centre portion of relatively large diameter and end portions tapering to a smaller diameter at their extremities; said inner tubular member being secured within said shell by means positioned inwardly of the ends of the shell and arranged at positions adjacent the tapering portions formed on the tubular member.

'2. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an inner tubular member arranged within said outer shell, said tubular member having tapering portions secured-to a center cylindrical portion, and a pair of means for securing the tubular member to the outer shell, each of said means being arranged at a position between the ends of the shell, such that the ratio of the distance of each of said means from an adjacent said end to the total length of the outer shell is approximately .223, where-' by a minimum deflection of said roller is obtained.

3. In a roller of the kind described, an outer cylindrical shell, an inner tubular member having a central cylindrical portion joined to a tapering portion at each extremity thereof, and annular means secured to and between the said shell and cylindrical portion at positions adjacent said tapering portions.

4. In a roller of the kind described, an outer cylindrical shell, an inner tubular member having a central cylindrical portion joined to a tapering portion at each extremity thereof, and annular means secured between said shell and cylindrical portion at pre-determined positions adjacent said tapering portions for reinforcing and stiffening the shell, and means on ends of said tubular portions for supporting said roller.

5. In a device of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an inner member having a longitudinally arched portion and arranged within the said shell, and a pair of annular members secured to and between the shell and inner member and serving directly to support the outer shell cantilever-wise.

6. In a device of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an inner reinforcing tubular member concentrically arranged within said outer shell, annularly positioned means secured to and between the said shell and tubular member and serving directly as reinforcing means for said shell, said annularly positioned means being arranged inwardly of an adjacent end of the shell a distance having a ratio to the distance between ends of said shell approximately as .223 is to 1.

7. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, interiorly braced cantilever-wise by an inner member arranged within said shell, a pair of means secured to and between said shell and inner member for reinforcing same, bearings secured to said inner member for supporting said roller and means accommodating said bearings.

8. In a rotatable cylindrical machine element, an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member, and means connecting the inner member to the outer member at points removed from each end of the outer member by distances approximately .223 of its total length, whereby a minimum deflection of said outer tubular member under operating conditions is obtained.

9. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an inner tubular member having a longitudinally arched :portion and arranged within said shell, and meansintegral with the shell and inner tubular member for fastening same together, all of said means -:being remote from the ends of the outer shell.

10. A method of manufacturing printing rollers which consists in forming a tubular member to provide a body portion with flared and grooved portions joined to tapering ends on the said'body portion, then inserting the tubular member-within a second tubular member, and then forming inwardly directed bulges on said last-mentioned tubular member so that said bulges are engaged with-the flared and grooved portions of the firstrnentioned tubular member.

11. Ina roller of the kind described, the combination of an inner tubular member, having tapering ends and outwardly projecting bulged portions, and an outer shell within which said inner tubular-member is arranged, and integrally formed inwardly directed flanges on said shell, said flanges being engaged with said outwardly directed bulged portions whereby said inner tubular member-is rigidly secured to the-outer shell.

12. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, and an innertubular member adapted to support the outer shell at a plurality of places all remote from the ends of said shell; said member having a centre portion of relatively large diameter and end portions tapering to a smaller diameter at their extremities.

13. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, and an innertubular member having a longitudinally arched portion including a cylindrical center portion adapted to carry the outer shell at a plurality of places, and tapering end portions adapted to carry bearingsior the roller. 7

14. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an innentubular member adapted to support the outer shell at a plurality of places all remote from the ends of said shell, and a shaft supporting the inner tubular member; said member having a centre portion of relatively large diameter and end portions tapering to a smaller diameter at their extremities.

15. In a roller of the kind described, the combination of an outer shell, an inner tubular member adapted to support the outer shell at a plurality of places all remote from the ends of said shell, and a shaft arranged within the inner tubular member, said .shaft and tubular member being relativelyrotatable.

16. Ina-roller of thekind described-thecombination of an outer shell, an'inner tubular member'adapted to support the outer shell at a'plurality of places all remote from the ends ofsaid shell, a shaftarranged within lthe tubular member and-having means located between the tubular member and'shait to permit relative rotation of same.

17. -In airoller f the kind described, the combination of an outer shell,.an inner tubular member-adapted to support the outerishell at a .plurality of places all remote from'the ends of said shell, a'shaft arranged within the tubular .member, bearing means located between the tubular member and shaftto permit relative rotation .of same, and other means for detachably connecting the outer shell-and inner tubular member together.

18. In a roller of the kind described, the combination-of an-outer shell interiorly supported cantilever-Wise by an inner member arranged within said "shell, a plurality of means secured to and between said shell and inner member for supportingsame,bearings secured to said inner member for supporting said roller, and means accommodating said bearings.

19. Inaroll'ero'f the kind described, the combination of an :outershell interiorly supported cantilever-wise by contact with supporting areas on an innermein'loer arranged Withinsaid shell, andbearings'for rotatably supporting said inner member; the said supporting areas being along two circumferential lines at such distances'from the ends of-the shell that a minimum deflection of saidouter-shell under transaxial'pressure is attained.

20. A cylinder for a :printing machine, said cylinder having acylindrical shell, and supporting means withinsaid-shell comprising a pair of conical sections each 'having its large diameterportionsecured to theshell at a location spaced from an endthereoiand the small diameter portion of each conical section projecting towardan adjacent end of the shell and operably connected to means adapted to rotatably support'the cylinder, the shell being supported only at the secured locations, whereby it is free to spring to aneccentric position with respect to the cylinder axis when pressure is applied to the periphery of the shell, and a minimum deflection of the shell under transaxial pressure is attained.

ALBERT J. :HORTON. 

